Pouring spout and closure



" Aug. `9, 1938. v c. MCQUlNN A 2,125,651

' POURING SPOUT AND C LOS-UR-E i Filed March ll, 1938 pasean,... 9, 193e v f 2,126,651

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE arzao'si s Pomme sron'r` AND oLosUaE Carl McQuinn, Decatur, Ill., assignor to Williams Sealing Corporation, Decatur, Ill., a corporation oi' Illinois Application March 11, 1938, Serial No. 195,405 11 claims. (ci. 221-5i The present invention'relates to closures for Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred containers of the type having pouring spouts form of locking lever.

.associated therewith. More particularly, the in- Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of a novel form vention is concerned with acap for a dispensing of spout member. can spout having a non-circular pouring opening. Figure 8 shows one manner of applying the cap 5 Also, the invention includes a novel form of spout to a* spout.

having an oval pouring opening, providing a Figure 9 shows another method, with the cap laterally projecting pouring lip. and spout constructed with slightly different rela- It is an object of the invention to provide an tive dimensions.

10 improved cap for sealing and re-sealing the open- Figure 10 is a MOSS-sectional detail taken 0n 10 ing of such a spout. The cap not only forms line III-M of Figure 7. v an efcient original seal, but is constructed so as 'Ihe cap, preferably .made of sheet metal, comto constitute an improved means for re-sealing prises a 'ilat top III, which is oval in plan, as the receptacle, after it has once been opened. shown in Figures 3 and 5. A marginal flange II The primary objects of the invention, therefore, projects-downwardly from the top and 1S jointed 15 are to provide anfimproved pouring spout and a thereto by an upwardly projecting, rounded, marcap which may be applied to the pouring opening gina] reinforcing rib I2 which preferably extends of such a spout and locked thereon, Lto provide entirely around the perimeter of the top. At the a substantially hermetic seal. pointed. forward end I3 of the cap, the skirt Il In the past, diiiiculties have been encountered terminates at its lower end in an inwardly and 20 in providing efficient seals for oval-shaped pourdownwardly inclined portion I4. This web-like ing spouts, for the reason that the pointed end member I4 is integral with the skirt 'and is disofthe spout, normally used as a pouring lip, could posed to span the pointed end of the oval as not be brought into tight sealing engagement with shown in Figure 5. As explained below, the web g5 the cap. In certain prior iart constructions, Il plays an important part in securing the capon 25 means, such as screw threads, were provided to the receptacle and, more particularly, in securing draw the cap downwardly on the spout, but, bethe forward, pointed end of the cap onto the cause of the oval shape of the spout, the threads pouring lip of the spout, in a tight, wedging relawere interrupted at the pouring lip. In such contion, providing a hermetic seal at that end.

3 structions, nothing was provided at the end of the At the rear end It of the oval, the skirt l2 is 30 pouring lip to draw the cap downwardly into tight extended rearwardly to provide spaced ears I6, Il. sealing relation therewith, and an inefficient seal 'I'he ears are provided with apertures I8 which resulted. y 1 receive laterally projecting trunnions I9 on a It is all Object 0f the present inventiOn t0 DIO- locking lever 2li. The locking lever is preferably Vide means DOSiiiOned directly ai?. the tip 0f bhe made from sheet metal by a stamping operation. 35 pouring lip to secure the cap in Sealing relation It comprises an operating. handle portion 2l, a. t0 the spout at that DOini-4 Further, tensioning rounded cam shoulder 22 and a, dat, terminal. means are providedat the opposite end of the cap, vlockjng pori-,nm`23 Qbvious1y, the lever ismountf t0 draw the Cal) dQWIl` OIIO'the s'pOllif t0 make 8. ed inthe apertures of the-ears I 6, Il for pivoting l 4o tight seal at that end,y a's'well asjat lall, other ,movement withrespeet tothe cap. The rear ends 4o points around the marginoi the spout. l, of the ears I6, I'lfare bent inwardly to engage l In the accompanying. drawinglillv `illu-Siili'iilfe i fthelv'er `with a spring action to; hold the Same embodimerit df the present invention is shown. in upright'position,` as shown in netten` unes in,A

but it must be understood that, theninventon is 't Figure 8, dufingth initial step 1n the` applica- '5 4;, not limitedv to thedetails oi construction spe'cifl-k tion of the 4cap .to the spout. 45

cally shown :therein and described below? Th ",eap 'isprovidjed with a conventional, resil` lIn'the drawing: `l j f ient sealingl pad MkII/,nich is of the saine` oval Figure l1 is a yside `elevation jot thei cap "applied shape as the spout adthetop of thecap. Y to the spout of arecept'acle. f f: f E' Thespout preferably `Zused with the cap of the Figuref-2 isa rear elevation similarjto Figure 1. present invention is similar tothe spout shown 50 Figure 3 is atop'planview. f 1 in m`y priorapplication Serial No132,43I5,fiiled Figure 4' `is a "{ertica'l `longitudinal section vMa-rch 22,` 193'?.A However, it has Abeen modified, through the cap and spout. j" f j and improved tofcooperate with the cap'oi the Figure' 5 is a bottomfplan view "ofthe cap with present invention in a new and ,elllcierltl'rlallnjel.` 35 the'locking leverjremove'd. 'y f The `vspout',ctmprises a `cylindrical"neck` 25 Y55'.

ends. Above the rib, ythere is a laterally projected portion 2'I forming a pouring lip. 'I'he .projecting portion merges with the upper end of the neck to provide an oval pouring opening, surrounded by a down-turned marginall flange or a semi-circular bead 28. This bead provides a rounded sealing surface 29 of substantial width entirely around the opening. At the pouring lip portion 21, the flange 28 terminates at its lower end in a raw edge spaced from the neck 25 and the undersurface of the projecting portion 421, thereby providing a dripless pouring lip.

'At the rear, wider or blunt end I5' of the spout, the flange 28 is provided with an extension 30 which is curled up to form a substantially circular or tubular bead at that point, constituting a bearing surface for the cam surfaces 22, 23 of the locking lever 20.

The skirt II of the cap preferably is of a size to embrace closely the outer edge of the downturned flange 28 of the spout, substantially entirely around the perimeter thereof. The portion I l of the cap skirt serves as a hook, to underlie the flange 28'of the spout at the tip or pointed end thereof. As shown in Figure 8, the cap is preferably applied to the spout by hooking the web I4 under the lower edge of the flange 28 at the point of the spout. The hooking action results in a preliminary compression of the pad 2l at the point of the oval. The rear of the cap is then swung downwardly about the point 3l as a fulcrum, thereby tightly compressing the sealing pad 2l at the front end. 'I'he cam shoulder `22 of the locking lever is disposed under the bead 30, and when the lever is depressed, the rear end of the cap is drawn downwardly by a camming action, the force being directed on a downwardly and rearwardly inclined line, to pull the rear end of the cap downwardly into sealing engagement with the spout, with great force. When the lever is moved still further downwardly, the flat portion 23 of the head of the lever comes into engagement with the bead 30 and the cap is locked in position. The relation between the head of the lever and the bead on the spout is such that the cap can be drawn downwardly increasing amounts, to compensate for the compression of the gasket, which inevitably results when the receptacle is repeatedly re-sealed.

In Figure 9, a modified method of applying The neck is provided with a reinforcing rib 26 intermediate its the cap is disclosed, which may be employed' whenever the circumference of the cap skirt exceeds the circumference of the down-turned flange on the spout by any substantial degree. The cap is placed on the spout with the downturned flange 2Q of the spout positioned at an intermediate point in the web Il. The locking lever 20 may then be used to draw the rear edd of the cap rearwardly and downwardly, as previously described. This action results in a wedgf ing movement between the flange 28 Yand the web Il, thereby drawing the` forward endof the cap downwardly upon the spout at the pouring lip, to provide a tight seal.

If desired, the ears I6, I'l,-which carry the locking lever, may press inwardly against the lever with a spring tension to hold the same with a snap 4action in an upwardly disposed position I 4 the pointed end ofthe cap is of substantial length equal, in the preferred embodiment, to at least one-third of the width of the cap top at its widest point. This feature lends strength and rigidity to the cap and prevents transverse bowing of the top under the influence of sealing tension. Also, the ears I6 and I1 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of the web I 4, so that the sealing tension applied to the cap by the lever is applied at two well spaced points.

' These features, in combination, result in a more substantial, rugged construction and in an improved distribution of the sealing forces.

" 'I'he upstanding rib I2 around the margin of the top reinforces and stiifens the flat cap top and prevents longitudinal bowing of the same, under the influence of the sealing tension applied to the ends of the cap. As a result, the plane flat surface of the top is maintained, and the sealing gasket 2l is evenly compressed upon the upper surface of the bead 28 to provide a uniformly tight seal entirely around the opening of the spout.

The depending marginal flange II also assists in stiflening and reinforcing the flat, cap top. It cooperates with the up-standing rib I2 to prevent longitudinal bowing of the top. This cooperation of the flange and rib results in the provision of a remarkably stiff, rigid cap top which, although positively secured to the spout only at its ends, provides an hermetic seal by compressing `the gasket 24 uniformly between the top and the spout, entirely around the perimeter of the latter.

It must be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction `shown and described herein, but covers all modifications coming within the scope'of the appended claims or their equivalents.

I claim:

- 1. A closure for a spout having an oval pouring opening, said closure comprising an oval top, a-

depending marginal skirt extending continuously around the forward pointed end and the sides of the oval and terminating at the rear blunt end in spaced rearwardly projecting ears, the skirt at the pointed end terminating downwardly in a rigid web projecting inwardly beyond the point of the oval, adapted to hook under the pouring lip of the spout, the lower edge of the web and of the remainder-of the skirt being continuous and merging into each other, and a locking lever pivoted to said ears and having a portion directly -engaging the spout at the rear blunt -end thereof,

to' draw the closure downwardly on the spout about said web as a fulcrum.

2. A closure for a spout having an oval pouring opening, said closure comprising an oval top, a depending marginal skirt extending continuously around the forward pointed end and the sides of theoval and terminating at the rear blunt end in spaced rearwardly projecting ears, Athe skirt at the pointed end having at its lower end a rigid inwardly projecting web terminating in a free edge'spaced inwardly from the point of the oval, adapted to hook under the pouring lip of the spout, thelower edge of the skirt and the free edge of said web. being substantially continuous and merging-into each other, and a locking lever pivoted to said earsand having a portion directly engaging the spout at the rear blunt l end thereof, to draw the closure downwardly on the spout about said web as a fulcrum.

3. A closure adapted to form a top seal and to -close the upper end of a spout having an oval opening,l said closure comprising a flat tophaving an oval shape similar to the shape of the 55. sides of the oval and terminating at the rear iii iid

spout opening and a depending marginalskirt extending continuous] `rorn spaced points at the rear blunt end of the val around the sides and the forward pointed end thereof, the skirt between said spaced points being interrupted `and being extended outwardly to provide a pair of rearwardly projecting ears, the lower edge ofthe skirt being continuous and unbroken and being projected inwardly to form a hooked portion at the pointed end of the oval, adapted to be disposed. under the edge oi the spout at the sharp end thereof, and a lever pivoted to said ears and having an end adapted to engage directly the spout and draw the cap downwardly about the hooked portion as a fulcrum to bring said dat top into sealing engagement with the spout.

li. In combination, a sheet metal spout for a receptacleand a closure therefor, said spout having a laterally projecting enlargement forming a pouring lip and a down-turned ange around its perimeter forming a substantially semi-circular bead in cross-section and providing a. substantially dripless edge at the pouring lip, the upper surface of said bead being disposed in a singie plane, said ange at the end of the spout opposite the pouring lip` being provided with an extension curled up to form a substantially circular bead portion, said cap comprising a top, a depending skirt having a hooked portion underlying said pouring lip and a lever-pivoted to the opposite end thereof adapted to engage under the circular bead portion on the spout as a bearing, to draw the cap downwardly upon the spout.

5. An ovalcap for use with a pouring spout having an oval opening, said cap comprising a flat top having an upwardly projecting marginal `reinforcing rib around its perimeter, a marginal skirt depending from the outer edge of said rib and extending continuously from spaced points adjacent the rear blunt end of the oval around the sides and the `front pointed end thereof, the skirt having a continuous, unbroken lower edge and a rigid portion at the pointed end projected inwardly to hook under the pointed end of the spout, and a lever 'pivoted to the opposite end of the cap skirt adjacent said spaced points for drawing the same downwardlyupon the spout, said reinforcing rib and the depending skirt comprising means for preventing longitudinal bowing of said flat top under,the inuence of the downward pull of the lever.

6. A closure for a spout having an oval pour ing openingfsaid closure comprising an oval top, a depending marginal skirt extending continuously around th forward pointed end and the blunt end in spaced rearwardly projecting ears, the skirt at thepointed end terminating downwardly in a rigid web having a free edge projecting inwardly beyond the point of the oval, adapted to hook under the pouring lip of the spout, the free edge of the web and the lower edge of the remainder of the skirt being substantially continuous and merging into each other, and a locking/lever pivoted to said ears and having a portion directly engaging the spout at the rear blunt end thereof to draw the closure downwardly on the spout about said web as a fulcrum, said web'and the space between the ears to which the lever is pivoted being substantially equal to each maximum width of the cap top.

7. The combination with a receptacle having a neck terminatingin a pouring opening and an outwardly projecting bead surrounding said opening, of a closure cap comprising' a substantiallyv fiat top, a depending marginal skirt having a hook portion shaped to uriderlike said bead, and a locking lever carried by said skirt diametrically opposite said hook portion, said lever comprising an operating handle, and a rounded cam shoulder terminating in a' flat locking portion, said shoulder being shaped andpositioned to engage under said bead with a camming action to draw the cap downwardly upon movement of the lever, said dat portion being engageable with the bead to lock the cap on the receptacle.

d. The combination with a receptacle having a neck terminating in apouring opening and having an outwardly projecting bead surrounding said opening, of a closure cap comprising a top, a depending marginal lskirt having a hook portion at one end shaped to underlie said bead and,

at the other end, a pair of spaced ears projecting rearwardly, and a locking lever carried by said ears, said lever comprising a rounded cam shoulder terminating in a at portion, said shoulder being shaped and positioned to engage under said bead with. a camming Vaction to draw the cap downwardly upon movement of the lever, said nat portion being engageable with the bead to lock the cap on the receptacle.

9. In combination, a receptacle having a neck terminating in an oval pouring opening and havingra down-turned ange surrounding said opening and forming a partial bead, the material of the flange at the rear, widened end'of the oval being elongated and curled under to provide a bearing surface, and a closure cap for the opening comprising a top, a depending marginal skirt havinga hook 'portion shaped to underlie said partial bead at the forward, pointed end `of. the oval, and a. locking lever carried by said skirt at the rear wider end of the oval, said lever comprising a rounded cam shoulder and a iiat lock-4 ing portion, said shoulder being shaped and positioned to engage under said bearing surface with a camming action to draw the cap downwardly upon movement of the lever, said nat portion being engageable with the bearing surface, to loc the cap on the receptacle. Y r

perforations in said ears, said lever comprising an operating handle projecting rearwardy from said trunnions, a rounded cam shoulder inwardly of vthe trunnions and a plane, terminal portion merging with said shoulder.

11. A cap for use with a spout having an oval opening, said cap comprising an oval-shaped top, a depending marginal iiange having an inwardly projecting lower edge at the pointed end of the oval and a pair of rearwardly projecting, spaced,

perforated ears at the rear end of the oval, and,

a locking lever comprising a sheet metal stamping having outwardly projecting trunnions pivoted in the perforations in said ears, said lever comprising a rounded cam shoulder terminating in a locking portion.

CARL MCQUINN. 

